It’s time for the fair! No, not that fair. That’s in July. I’m talking about the Sacramento County Fair, which starts Thursday, May 24 and runs through Memorial Day, May 28. Like the California State Fair, the Sacramento County Fair is held at Cal Expo. The theme: Let’s Eat, Have Fun & Celebrate the Red, White & Blue. We’re down with that.

Every day has something fun on the agenda. Opening day, Thursday, is Community Night. Come out and enjoy the offerings of Sacramento food trucks while listening to live local music. Or, go on Monday, which is Girl Scout and Military Appreciation Day. Don’t worry, there’s a lot of fun events sandwiched in the days in between.

What else can you expect at the fair? Livestock exhibitions (but note, the animals depart early Monday morning), local arts and crafts, a shoppers expo, carnival rides and, of course, corn dogs.

Wow, sounds suspiciously like the State Fair. Consider this a warm-up. Maybe a less expensive version with fewer days, smaller crowds and minus the nightly fireworks.

The Fair is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Monday when it closes at 7 p.m. Check the website, though, because times vary as far as the midway, exhibits and so forth. Tickets are $5, but children 12 and younger get in free. Check out the PennySaver for discounts on ride wristbands.